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Yes, the "you just sit there" comment...if it weren't for the litigious nature of our society or the fact I otherwise like some of the folks who say that...a ride on the Amazon or Pig Pen the Wonder Pony would do wonders at correcting that false ASSumption.

Not to long ago, someone was asking about training our horses to rear...they thought it was cool. Thanks, Lone Ranger...but not so much, really.

My husband (who is trying really hard to learn) texts me asking if I'm "whipping" tonight, usually if I'm not home around 7. He means am I planning on lunging... I've tried to correct him but apparently "whipping" is more exciting so we just let that dog be.

People always seem to have gotten "bucked" at least once. Sometimes bucked off, occasionally they "got throwed." I am, apparently, the only person has ever just fallen off a horse, and therefore must be exceptionally clumsy.

(Which I am, lol, but it makes me crazy that non-riders believe that the one time they sat on a horse it actively tried to dislodge them rather than the obvious conclusion that they lost their balance!)

People always seem to have gotten "bucked" at least once. Sometimes bucked off, occasionally they "got throwed." I am, apparently, the only person has ever just fallen off a horse, and therefore must be exceptionally clumsy.

Oh, no, axl, there are at least two of us!

One of my favorites is from my sweet grandmother (turns 90 tomorrow!): She came to visit one summer day when I had the horses in fly sheets and fly masks. She was quite impressed and made a point of telling friends and relatives what great care I take of my horses, "why, they even have bug jackets and bug bonnets to keep the mosquitoes away!"

I think "bug jackets" and "bug bonnets" are completely adorable, of course!

Once a group of us were riding on some trails mostly used by mountain bikers and hikers, and not many equestrians. As we passed a mountain biker who pulled over to let us past him on the single-track trail, he noted -- looking at our various bell boots, splint/galloping boots, fly bonnets, etc., plus our helmets, gloves, chaps, etc., "Hey, horses have gear, too!" We laughed and said, "You have NO idea!"

My husband (who is trying really hard to learn) texts me asking if I'm "whipping" tonight, usually if I'm not home around 7. He means am I planning on lunging... I've tried to correct him but apparently "whipping" is more exciting so we just let that dog be.

He must secretly want you to take up foxhunting, get really into and become a staff member. Then you can "whip"

Oh, well, clearly you're not thoroughly indoctrinated to COTH yet, because finger pointing and drawing conclusions are the cornerstones of this great online community. (Tidy Rabbit)

Why do you still take lessons? I thought you had been riding for years and knew how.

I also tell them Tiger Woods has a swing coach, QB's have QB coaches and Michael Jordan had coaches. Even Olympic level athletes in sports have coaches and most of them do not have to contend with a live animal with a mind of his own.

Oh, well, clearly you're not thoroughly indoctrinated to COTH yet, because finger pointing and drawing conclusions are the cornerstones of this great online community. (Tidy Rabbit)

More along the lines of what non-dressage people say, but still a funny memory.

Daughter was riding a 2nd level test and had just done a craptastic halt and rein-back in front of judge. Horse proceeded forward to the corner of arena, when he spotted a giant tractor piddling around the grounds (Raleigh state fair grounds) and did a quick retreat out of the corner.

New dressage husband (his wife had previously done hunters) sweetly asked me if daughter did the reinback over again because the first one was so bad. I said no, horsey did that one all on his own.

Only part of me worries...the other part doesn't believe in it.
Wings of Desire

When shipping my tack, grooming supplies, etc. across the country, I received a text from my mom, "Did you want us to ship your tackle box too?" meaning my grooming tote...
My bf constantly feels the need to throw 'counter-canter' into any horse-related sentence he can muster, because apparently that's the only term he can remember.
I have experienced the 'you still take lessons?!' on several occasions, and pretty much all of my friends think they are star-riders because they've been on a few trail rides.